In a significant development, the Trump administration on Friday relaxed standards for exporting drones to friendly countries.
Under the new policy, drones that fly at speeds below 800 km per hour are no longer subject to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
“This action, which is consistent with the MTCR guidelines will increase the US’s national security by improving capabilities of its partners and increase economic security by opening the expanding drones market to the US industry, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement.
This policy change modernises our approach to implementing our MTCR commitments. It makes it more reflective of the technological realities, Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Clarke Cooper told reporters during a conference call.
